Former U.N. Official Appointed Director of Center's Conflict Resolution Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kay Torrance
404-420-5129

ATLANTA….Matthew Hodes, a former United Nations official, has been appointed director of the Carter Center's Conflict Resolution Program. He had served as the program's senior associate director since September 2001.

The Carter Center, a nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization, has created avenues to peace in Sudan, Uganda, Venezuela, and Guyana. It addresses the underlying causes of the conflict to prevent a resurgence of violence.

"Mr. Hodes brings more than 20 years experience from the United Nations and the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and as a military officer, prosecutor, public defender, and trial attorney," said Dr. John Hardman, Carter Center executive director. "Building on the successful efforts of the Conflict Resolution Program in mediating between Sudan and Uganda as well as their continuing efforts in Venezuela, Hodes will direct the Center's efforts in other regions of the world."

Hodes has served in a variety of peacekeeping and post-conflict operations positions in the United Nations and was the Judicial Reform Coordinator for Bosnia at the Office of the High Representative in Sarajevo. His United Nations service included postings in New York, Somalia, and the former Yugoslavia, and he worked as a consultant to the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development on projects relating to judicial reform and anti-corruption in South America and Eastern Europe. Hodes began his career in the U.S. Army and became a prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer in Florida.

"Nongovernmental organizations have a special role in the field of conflict resolution," Hodes said. "The Carter Center has unique access to world leaders but also can operate in longer-term peace building activities."

Founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn, The Carter Center advances peace and health worldwide. The Conflict Resolution Program is one of several programs at the Center focused on waging peace and strengthening democracy, under the direction of Amb. Gordon Streeb, Carter Center associate executive director.

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